Why the Houston Texans Are Ready To Explode Onto the Scene

(Photo by Thomas B. Shea/Getty Images)

The 2008 Houston Texans were ready to burst onto the scene in the NFL, except mother nature wasn't ready for the Texans just yet. After Hurricane Ike caused the Texans to leave their home city for a few weeks, the team took an abrupt bye in Week Two and didn't have a home game until Week Five.

The Texans started with three road games, two of which were against the eventual Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the eventual 13-3 (and best record in the league) Tennessee Titans.

As the Texans thought 2008 would be the season to turn their losing fortunes around, they may have done just that. After the 0-4 start, the Texans won eight of their final twelve games to finish at .500, tied with the '07 season for most wins in a season in franchise history.

The Texans will start the 2008 season with one of the top wide receivers in football in Andre Johnson. The 28-year-old wideout is coming off his best season as a professional, catching a franchise record 115 passes and added eight touchdowns. 

It was obvious last season that when Johnson had big games, the Texans offense did as well. In five of the team's eight losses, Johnson had four or fewer catches. In the Texans' eight wins, Johnson averaged 9.25 catches a game. He also scored six of his eight touchdowns in games the Texans won.  

It is evident for the '09 season that Johnson will need to have a big season for the Texans to be contenders. However, with a more balanced attack, the Texans offense is ready to explode.

Since Domanick Davis (now Dominick Williams) had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2003 and 2004, the Texans were in the bottom half of the league in rushing every year. However, with a much improved offensive line, running back Steve Slaton produced the best rookie season in franchise history.

After his freshman year at West Virginia, Slaton was presumed to become a first-round pick. After his 1,700-plus-yard sophomore season, Slaton's injury-plagued junior season noticeably hurt his chances of being a first-round pick. In the 2008 draft, the Texans took Slaton in the third round, 89th overall. 

However, maybe not being a top pick was for the best. 

Slaton, now penciled in as the starter after his record-setting rookie season, is ready to become a top-tier running back. With his great speed and agility, Slaton is ready to put the Texans' running game on his back. Since being selected in the third round, Slaton has been playing with a chip on his shoulder. 

With an elite wide receiver in Andre Johnson and a sensational second-year running back, the Texans offense will need steady play from quarterback Matt Schaub. 

Schaub doesn't have to handle the bulk of the offense in Houston like Peyton Manning and Drew Brees need to do for their respective teams. However, if Schaub plays inconsistently and turns the ball over, the Texans could end up like the Minnesota Vikings, a team just a quarterback away from contending for the Super Bowl. 

When healthy, Schaub is an above-average quarterback, as he proved last year, throwing for over 3,000 yards in just 11 games. The problem for Schaub is staying healthy. 

The 6'5'' Virginia alum has missed 10 starts in his two years as the Texans' quarterback. If Schaub can stay healthy, he has the weapons to become a top-10 quarterback in the NFL.

The weapons Schaub has on offense don't stop with Johnson and Slaton, though.

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